User reviews

Greetings again from the darkness. Writer-director Van Maximilian Carlson and co-writer A. Shawn Austin touch on a wide variety of controversial topics in this one: PTSD, Veterans' Affairs, homelessness, foster care, social workers, and mental illness. At the heart of their story is the touching and strong bond between a father and daughter, even when life's obstacles become too much to overcome.

Tayler Buck delivers a career-changing performance as Alicia Willis (ANNABELLE: CREATION, 2017), the adolescent daughter of Sgt Beaumont "Bo" Willis (Edi Gathegi, "The Blacklist"), an Iraqi War veteran whose PTSD is linked to a brain injury sustained while deployed. Bo is mostly non-verbal and often disconnected, and living a tough life with the homeless on Skid Row. Alicia is devoted to her father, and worships him as the man who told her bedtime stories when she was young. Those memories not only inspire her to take care of him now, but also to write her own award winning short stories, and to view her life as a sort of Fairy Tale (rather than a tragedy).

We learn that Alicia has already been in three foster homes, including one with her mean-spirited aunt (Tabitha Brown), who likely took her in only for the money. Social Worker Magdalene (Ana Ortiz, "Ugly Betty") shows true compassion for Alicia, and understands the love she has for her father. Of course Magdalene is also pragmatic and does her best to find a stable environment for Alicia. That's where writer John Austin (Martin Sheen) comes in. He and his wife agree to take in Alicia, despite this putting her a 10 hour drive from Bo. But distance can't hold her back.

Following Alicia around is exhausting, yet fascinating. Director Carlson and cinematographer Maz Makhani do a terrific job of capturing her various adventures - each with the purpose of being with her father. Alicia understands, and we see evidence, of Bo's unpredictability and propensity for violent outbursts. Oh, but in those few fleeting moments when the father she remembers reappears, it's emotional and heart-warming. Alicia has a wonderful line that will surely touch viewers. She says, "I love it when you come back to me." And so do we ... the world seems right, even if it's only a blink.

This performance should elevate Tayler Buck amongst young actors, and we will likely be seeing her quite often over the next few years. And as strong as she is here, we shouldn't overlook the work of Edi Gathegi and Ana Ortiz, or even Martin Sheen (now 80 years old), who always seems a natural for movies with a message. Jessica Childress sings a beautiful song, "Walk with Me", that is the exact fit for this film that puts love and hope amidst misery and hopelessness.

With a dad that suffers great mental illness as a vet, this little girl goes down a path of trying to save him but ultimately having to save herself. A straight on view of homeless and the struggle.

Wow this was a very well written story. It was thoughtful, sad and encouraging. I wish our country did more for veteran families! I'm glad Princess realized that she's a child and she should be working on her own future and living situation.

The only reason I gave this a 7 and not higher is forsaking the realism of the foster care system and time and care truly able to be given, as well as unreality of foster homes (Aunt Tammy should've been white, too). The system is already a mess and if the government has its way, many more if births are forced. I get it, it's for the sake of storytelling timeline, I just prefer realism on this true, urgent crisis in our Country.

Okay, all that aside, was not prepared for the very end scene. The last I knew, my son was living in San Diego homeless areas. It's turned into years and he's been a total deadbeat/absent dad to a now 15 yo daughter. A life I never saw coming. Mental health and drugs have stolen my beautiful boy, but we must always hope for each other and try do better for ourselves until our last breath....right?

The end scene....raw emotion body chills.

This movie was incredible and very moving. Edi Gathegi completely sells his role as a man who was severely brain damaged in combat. He acts almost like a zombie, and its sad because you know there really are people out there who are like that, which cannot function enough to sustain a normal life. He is always drifting in and out of reality.

The story is just so touching. His daughter wants to see him get better and be well enough to hold some type of job and provide himself with a better life. By the end, she realizes that its really out of her control and no amount of love from her or anyone is going to fix his brain. Its very bittersweet. Definitely watch it!

What a beautifully told story about a broken father and the love his daughter has for him. This movie was a bit slow at times but it was well acted and enjoyable. I am already a fan of Mr. Gathegi's work so I had to check this one out. He didn't speak much in this but his acting was truly believable. When he kicks the trash can and say's "You ain't foolin no body!" hilarious! Sometimes it is hard to see how some ppl live on the streets, this was a hard look of one instance. Surprised this was not based on a true story. If you like emotional movie than this is one for you.

I just finished watching the movie. The acting was wonderful. This movie gripped my heart from the beginning to end. It was well written and directed. Watch this movie.

It's a poweful story with wonderful actors.



















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I caught this movie browsing through the TV channels and i was suck on it till the end. It's by far one of the greatest movies I've watched. It shows the reality of the lives that some people are living out there. Just how strong and resilient Princess is and the fact their her dad is brain damaged but you can see how much he still loves his daughter and they will do whatever it takes to protect each other just made me emotional. The actors outdone themselves in this movie.

This film has the power to renew our faith in humanity. So much decency is portrayed in these characters. Both lead performances are powerhouse jobs, and the supporting characters are the equally moving. A wonderful film. Totally believable. Great job to the entire crew.

Princess of the Row (2019) is a movie that my magnificent wife recommended and I recently watched on Prime. The storyline follows a kid who skips school to take care of her homeless father who lives on skid row. She gets cycled through the foster system but always finds her way back to her dad.

This movie is directed by Van Maximilian Carlson (Bhoplia) and stars Edi Gathegi (The Harder they Fall), Tayler Buck (Annabelle: The Creation), Martin Sheen (Apocalypse Now), Ana Ortiz (Ugly Betty) and Jenny Gago (Coach Carter).

The performances feel so authentic and were impressive. Tayler Buck and Edi Gathegi play off each other perfectly. The writing is outstanding with entertaining characters, intense circumstances, rough environments, well established relationships and unpredictable situations. The storyline is well paced with numerous twists and turns and a heart wrenching ending. I wouldn't change anything about this movie.

Overall, this an underrated gem that I would strongly recommend. I would score this an 8/10.